They call the race horse Mucho Macho Man by his initials, MMM.
When he breaks from the gate next week at the Kentucky Derby, he'll have another MMM's support -- the erstwhile Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., now known as 3M.
The Maplewood-based industrial products giant announced Thursday that its first horse racing sponsorship is an exclusive deal with Mucho Macho Man's owners for the Triple Crown races, which also include the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.
Terms weren't revealed, but it's an exclusive deal, said Patti Reeves, the majority owner of Mucho Macho Man who worked for 14 years in 3M's national marketing department. 3M's logo will be emblazoned on the horse's jockey apparel.
The horse sponsorship "is a great opportunity to promote the 3M brand and 3M products," said Jeff Lavers, a 3M vice president. It doesn't hurt that the company makes equine products.
The current odds on Mucho Macho Man to win, according to Daily Racing Form's website: 12-to-1.
